Monthly Archives: September 2021

Heavy rain warning prompts call to drive to the conditions

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Periods of heavy rain are forecast for the Coromandel Peninsula between 3am and 12 noon tomorrow, and for the Bay of Plenty, away from the eastern ranges between 5am and 3pm. Further rain is possible on Thursday night.

Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations Rob Campbell urged motorists to take care and avoid unnecessary travel.

“Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly and there is a chance we may need to close some roads.

“Expect the unexpected and remain alert. Check your intended route for hazards or disruptions before setting out using the Waka Kotahi interactive Journey Planner website and be prepared for unreported hazards.”

The MetService website is another useful resource for up-to-date weather information and forecasts.

Journey Planner website
MetService website

MetService meteorologist Angus Hines says after some rain earlier in the week, things really crank up again on Thursday. A low pressure system to the North steers a belt of heavy rain into eastern part of the North Island.

“For those in the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, rain will be ramping up early on Thursday morning, so be prepared for surface flooding and poor visibility on the morning commute, with things such as slips or road closures a possibility as well.”

Wet roads can be slippery and motorists are advised to increase their following distances.

Mr Campbell says on a wet road, driving at the speed limit could be too fast for the conditions.

“You can lose control very easily in wet weather, especially if you have to brake suddenly, so slow down.”

He asks motorists to be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through work sites.

“We want to see everyone get home safely. Stay safe and stay alert.”

Attached: A short video clip showing forecast rain movement across the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty tomorrow (Thursday 16 September).

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Tree felling after storm damage west of Hanmer Springs turnoff

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Removing these damaged trees will get underway this Friday, 17 September from 9 am and will continue through the weekend and next week, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The highway will be narrowed to a single lane until Friday, 24 September: 7 am to 7 pm every day after this Friday. 

The road into Hanmer Springs, SH7A, from the Canterbury side will not be affected by this work and drivers on that side will have no delays.

Lewis Pass drivers travelling west of the Hanmer Springs turnoff should be ready for short delays – up to 20 minutes in each direction for the week.

The route will open at the top of the hour and the half hour to clear traffic in each direction, daytime hours, 7 am to 7 pm, using Stop/Go traffic management.

Traffic lights will control traffic movements overnight, says Tresca Forrester, Journey Manager, for Waka Kotahi.

“Thanks to everyone for your patience while we get this route safe again and back to two lanes ahead of the summer.”

SH7 Island Hills to Tekoa Range, near the Shale Peak Stream Bridge updates

 

damaged trees on the side road of state highway seven reducing traffic to one lane

The fallen trees have already reduced the highway in some places to one lane.

 

fallen trees hit by severe winds and stormy weather on state highway seven

The highway well below the line of trees, on the left in the distance.

 

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National award for Hinetapuarau pou in Matawai

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white sculpture sitting on hill near motorway

Hinetapuarau pou next to Te Whitinga o Tamataipunoa Bridge

Engineering consultancy WSP, the structural engineering designers for the pou, entered Hinetapuarau into the awards and won the Small Projects category.

The award is given to a construction project in recognition of outstanding achievement in the advancement of structural engineering design and construction.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Project Manager, Richard Bayley, managed the delivery of this project and says he’d like to congratulate everyone involved in the creation of Hinetapuarau.

“Just as she appears in her home now, the making of Hinetapuarau was also incredibly detailed, thought-provoking and all-round impressive,” says Mr Bayley.

The pou was designed by local artist Nick Tupara on behalf of Matawai Marae and for his iwi of Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa and Te Whakatohea, and was brought to life by the Gisborne Engineering team, headed by Kevin Alvie.

“The engineers definitely had their artistic hats on, finding elegant solutions and giving me confidence that the stories of my uncles (reflected in the pou) were being taken seriously. I knew that the engineers also wanted this to be a beautiful expression of art,” says Mr Tupara.

Adam Furniss, Senior Engineering Geologist from WSP, felt the pou was a great example of mahi tahi (collaboration).

“The weaving of the kaitoi (artist), tirohanga matakite (vision), and whakapapa (family history/stories), alongside the work of the kaipūkaha (engineers) has produced a nationally significant landmark. Set amongst the mist Hinetapuarau stands tall as a gateway to the Tairawhiti region,” says Mr Furniss.

Waka Kotahi is planning a community day with Matawai School to do some planting in the area near the bridge and pou, and to mark the official completion of the project.

More information about the Motu Bridge replacement project and the story of the creation of the Hinetapuarau pou is available here: 
Motu Bridge replacement project

 

The unveiling of ‘Hinetapuarau’ pou (Motu Bridge, Gisborne)

 

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Serious crash – SH1 – Levin

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District:

Central

Police are responding to a multiple-vehicle collision on State Highway 1, north of Levin, at 8.45am this morning.

Initial indications are that one person has sustained serious injuries and the rescue helicopter has been dispatched.

The road is blocked and there are diversions in place at Koputaroa Road and Tavistock Road.

We urge motorists to be patient, and to otherwise avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

2022 Subaru BRZ

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2022 Subaru BRZWhat kind of car is the 2022 Subaru BRZ? What does it compare to? A small two-door sports coupe that’s low on power but high on fun, the Subaru BRZ competes against the Toyota 86, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Hyundai Veloster N, as well as larger American iron like the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. Is the 2022 Subaru BRZ a good car? The BRZ is…

SH25 closed south of Coromandel on Friday morning

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The car has been left on the beach and needs to be removed urgently to prevent any environmental damage. The road is very narrow, with no room for traffic to pass while the recovery vehicles are working.

The highway will be closed between the Kereta Bay boat ramp (24km south of Coromandel) and Waikawau boat ramp (29km south of Coromandel).

In the case of poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the recovery will take place on Monday 20 September.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

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